Joan Gallagher
February 1st, 1932 - Tuesday, August 28th, 2018

Joan was born in “Speedy Creek”, otherwise known as Swift Current, Saskatchewan. In her early years, Joan loved basketball and won many tournaments. She went into nurse’s training at the Holy Cross hospital in Calgary and graduated in 1953. Her first Job was at the Swift Current Union Hospital. She then married Walter Norman Schulz and went to work at the Red Cross Hospital in Calgary (now called the Alberta Children’s Hospital). Joan was also a nurse at the Foothills Hospital. She did private duty nursing for four years and worked in a doctor’s office for four years, after which she decided to pack up herself and her two children, Curt and Karen, and attend the University of Alberta in Edmonton for her Public Health diploma. Following her graduation, she began Public Health Nursing at the North Hill Baby Clinic in 1972.

She loved golf and once achieved the ultimate golfer’s feat, scoring a hole-in-one at the Crowsnest Pass Golf Course in Southern Alberta. She even played in Fairbanks, Alaska on the farthest northern golf course in the world. Joan was also passionate about curling. In addition to achieving an ace on the golf course, in the same year she also achieved the curling equivalent of a golfer’s ace, scoring a perfect 8-ender. She was a huge curling fan, watching every minute of televised curling events. She would always keep family members up-to-date with who was leading.

Joan also loved other sports including skiing and swimming. Throughout her life, Joan was a true explorer. She enjoyed camping and the great outdoors, even braving a solo road trip up the Alaska highway into Alaska. Her thirst for adventure even included taking to the skies for flying lessons at the Springbank Airport where she put in forty hours of flying time.

Joan was always a very social person. She thoroughly enjoyed planning and arranging many get-togethers with family and always made sure that the family had their supply of pies from the Shriners Association. She would regularly send everyone she knew an email containing a funny joke or a cute, humorous picture to brighten their day. She loved going to Stage West with her close friends and was very involved with the Bow Valley Singles Club with whom she enjoyed golfing, curling and square dancing. She also gave her time as treasurer of the Club.

Joan was a strong supporter of both the Canadian Wildlife Federation and the NDP party. For many years she volunteered her time and nursing skills during flu season, giving flu vaccines, even well into her retirement. Joan always had a great sense of humor, a twinkle in her eye, and a caring manner with all her clients, especially seniors.

Joan loved to spend time and care for her three grandchildren; Joseph, Kelci and Leah.

Joan is survived by her son, Curtis (Susan) Schulz and daughter, Karen (Rob) Norton, and Joan’s sister, Margaret (Lorne) Baxter. Her loving spirit will be missed dearly by all of those she touched throughout her life.

May she rest in peace.

To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Joan please visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343.